Welcome back to SI Golf’s Fact or Fiction, where by we hope the end of up coming week’s PGA Championship in Kentucky is as good as the Kentucky Derby.
When once again, we’re listed here to debate a collection of statements for writers and editors to declare as “Fact” or “Fiction” together with a short explanation. Responses may also (occasionally) be “Neutral” considering that you can find a ton of gray location in golfing.
Do you concur or disagree? Permit us know on the SI Golfing X account.
Brooks Koepka received the LIV Golf Singapore function, turning close to a sluggish year just in time for his PGA Championship protection. He is LIV’s ideal candidate to earn a major this yr.
Bob Harig: Reality. Based on his main assure and a self-assurance-boosting performance, Koepka will head to Louisville as LIV’s best hope. But never rely out Cam Smith, who appears to have his game coming all around as very well.
John Pluym: Point. Koepka’s at his greatest in the majors regardless of his latest Masters performance. Whether or not that’s enough to overtake Scottie Scheffler (Of course, I believe he wins the PGA), we’ll see. But he’s surely LIV’s ideal hope in Louisville.
A week in Singapore seems to have turned all-around Brooks Koepka’s outlook for his PGA Championship protection.
Aaron Doster-United states of america Today Athletics
Jeff Ritter: Point. He’s the most established main winner on the LIV circuit apart from Mickelson’s six titles, and Koepka may perhaps be placing it jointly just in time to choose off 1 a lot more this summer season and match Mickelson.
John Schwarb: Reality. This is a nod to Koepka but also acknowledgment that Jon Rahm nonetheless has not rediscovered the top gear he had in advance of going to LIV. He’s essentially second in season points (very well driving Joaquin Niemann) but his best finishes are a pair of thirds wasn’t he supposed to dominate and be at the prime of any significant conversations?
Koepka became the to start with to earn four occasions in LIV Golf. He also has 4 titles on the PGA Tour (not counting majors). Koepka’s job will eventually have far more LIV wins than Tour wins.
Bob Harig: Reality. This is possible inescapable. Koepka appears specified to win more occasions on LIV Golfing and his long run with the PGA Tour would seem murky at most effective.
John Pluym: Reality. I don’t assume there’s any doubt that he wins much more tournaments on LIV Golf than the PGA Tour.
Jeff Ritter: Point. Maybe sometime there will be a route back to the PGA Tour for Koepka and his fellow LIV’ers, but at the moment it looks like he’ll raise extra LIV trophies from in this article on out.
John Schwarb: NEUTRAL. Two probable paths for Koepka to go back again to the PGA Tour: some sort of reunification or he returns soon after not signing a 2nd LIV contract (he’s thought to be signed by subsequent year). I would not put money on both but someway I really don’t believe he’s performed successful common Tour situations.
Tiger Woods approved a special exemption into following month’s U.S. Open at Pinehurst. The 15-time major winner is entitled to an limitless variety of particular exemptions.
Bob Harig: Actuality. Have been expressing this and creating this for several years. There was likely to arrive a time wherever Tiger would have to have an exemption and—if he’s keen and able—he will get as numerous as he would like. It is not likely Woods would try to engage in if he felt he was was unworthy. He warrants to make that get in touch with. And if Jack acquired 8 exemptions and Arnie obtained five, there is no explanation why a nine-time USGA champion—including a few U.S. Opens—wouldn’t get an abundance of special invites.
John Pluym: Reality. Jack Nicklaus received 18 professional majors in his profession, which includes 4 U.S. Open titles. He gained a history 8 exclusive exemptions, like five in a row right up until he stopped taking part in the U.S. Open just after 2000 at Pebble Seashore. So as prolonged as Tiger needs to enjoy in the U.S. Open up, he should really get as a lot of as he needs. He’s the only golfer in current heritage to be on the same level as Nicklaus. As this kind of, the USGA ought to keep giving him special exemptions.
Tiger Woods’s final U.S. Open up look was in 2020 at Winged Foot.
Brad Penner-Usa Currently Sports activities
Jeff Ritter: Reality. This should not even be controversial. (Is it controversial?) Woods designed the tour what it is nowadays, and while he’s diminished he can still enjoy, as evidenced by that modern built-reduce at Augusta. Is there any particular exemption that will do much more to increase admirer curiosity and over-all buzz than Tiger Woods?
John Schwarb: Truth. What Woods has completed to get paid many exemptions is not up for discussion, and the real truth is he is highly not likely to acquire as numerous as Nicklaus and engage in U.S. Opens into his late 50s. Not absolutely sure he’ll even match Arnie’s five. Golf followers need to just enjoy these times.
Talking of main exemptions, Talor Gooch acquired a specific exemption to the PGA Championship but said in Singapore that he’s not likely via qualifiers for the U.S. or British Opens. That has ruined his name as a competitor.
Bob Harig: NEUTRAL. This all relies upon on in which you sit on this issue. Absolutely, not even hoping to qualify does not aid Gooch’s trigger. He could use it as enthusiasm. He’s only hurting himself listed here. If he believes himself to be a major player—why would not he?—he need to do every thing he can to get in the majors, even if he disagrees with the approach.
John Pluym: Point. His Formal Globe Golfing Ranking is No. 644, and he experienced only one PGA Tour victory in advance of becoming a member of LIV. So primarily based on the information, he is only hurting himself by not likely by way of qualifying. And, actually, he hasn’t proved to be superior sufficient to be deserving of a particular exemption.
Jeff Ritter: FICTION. Skipping important qualifying is excellent headline fodder but it doesn’t alter how I understand Gooch at all—he has revealed all of us that when it arrives to vocation conclusions, his leading priority is money. Since he did not give a cause, I assume he is skipping the lower-paying out USO to continue to be clean for the $4 million major prize at LIV Golfing Nashville the subsequent 7 days.
John Schwarb: Simple fact. I do not imagine several fans begrudge pro golfers having their baggage of cash like other athletes but a absence of work or caring is in which they attract the line. Not attempting to qualify for our countrywide championship is a betrayal of one’s talent.
